Articulation structure for sliding shelf stem

ABSTRACT

An articulation mechanism for a sliding shelf stem of a household appliance is disclosed. The articulation mechanism may operate without the use of an additional piece and may be made only with a stamping on the counter-door itself of the household appliance. The configuration of the articulation mechanism may simplify its fabrication and assembly, and may reduce or eliminate the need for use of accessories and tools for the assembly processes, simplifying construction.

This application claims priority to Brazilian Patent Application No. MU8801927-6 filed Sep. 1, 2008 and is a continuation of PCT Application Number PCT/BR2009/000281 filed on Sep. 1, 2009, each of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to electromechanical devices including household appliances, Aspects particularly relate to a door with a housing facilitating articulation of a sliding shelf stem in appliances including household stoves.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In stoves in use today, it is common to use sliding shelves that coordinate movement along with the opening movement of the oven door. In these products, the shelves are supplied with stems that connect the shelf and the oven door, allowing the shelf traction with the door opening movement.

In order to connect the stems with the door, ear shape add on accessories are manufactured with a fitting for the stem, functioning as a bushing, allowing the rotation of the stem end when this serves to provide traction to the shelf. Such pieces are fastened in the counter-door through adhesive tapes, rivets or screws, requiring the use of an additional operation that requires assembly manpower, which represents an appreciable portion of the product's final price. Eliminating such pieces and, consequently the manpower and assembly processes is desirable.

WO 2004/020910 A1 describes an oven shelf sliding system through rotations added in the stems of the shelves. MU 8601330-0 U describes articulable shelves of pendular oscillatory motion and requires further add-on conventional accessory parts. Neither of these documents contain the innovative features described in the disclosure.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure describes articulation mechanisms including housings in doors for household appliances and related sliding shelf systems. The disclosed articulation mechanisms may include articulation mechanisms for a sliding shelf stem of a household appliance. The articulation mechanism may be formed without the use of an additional piece, and may be made only with a stamping on the household appliance counter-door. Additionally the articulation mechanism may have shapes, dimensions and arrangement that simplify its fabrication and assembly, may reduce or eliminate the need for use of accessories and tools for the assembly processes, consequently simplifying its development.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description in consideration of the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a household appliance including a door configured for use with a sliding shelf system.

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrates one configuration of a counter-door with a receptacle for use with a sliding shelf system.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrates another configuration of a counter-door with a receptacle for use with a sliding shelf system.

FIGS. 4A-4C illustrates another configuration of a counter-door with a receptacle for use with a sliding shelf system.

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrates another configuration of a counter-door with a receptacle for use with a sliding shelf system.

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrates another configuration of a counter-door with a receptacle for use with a sliding shelf system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

In the following description of the various embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration various embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In the present disclosure, the stem articulation structure (1) of the shelf (2) is made by a stamping in the counter-door plate (3) of the oven. This stamping provides the counter-door (3) a proper container to the stem end (1) which connects to the counter-door (3), allowing the sliding shelf motion (2) when the counter-door (3) moves. This stamping operation is made in the tool that shapes the counter-door (3) itself, with no need, therefore, for additional manpower, making the assembly cheaper and simple.

FIG. 1 presents an overview of a stove with sliding shelf (2) in the oven, connected to the oven door (3) through a stem (1) which serves as the shelf traction (2) when the oven door (3) opens. FIG. 2A-2C illustrate a stamping frame arrangement of the stem articulation device (1), comprising of a positive pull (4) on the counter-door plate (3), on the border of a depression (5) in the same counter-door (3). FIG. 2A shows a top plan view, FIG. 2B shows a side sectional view taken through line C-C of FIG. 2A and FIG. 2C is a detail perspective view. As shown, the stamping creates a depression (5) in the counter-door (3) and, in the border of the depression (5), a positive pull (4) upward the plate plane, so as to allow the stem end (1) to enter into the positive pull (4).

FIGS. 3A-3C present the first stamping frame alternative embodiment of the stem articulation device (1), comprising of a positive pull (6) hollow arch-shape in the counter-door plate (3). FIG. 3A shows a top plan view of the alternative embodiment, FIG. 3B shows a side view and FIG. 3C a detail perspective view. Here, the stamping forms a positive pull (6) in the counter-door (3), upward the plate main level, hollow arch-shaped (6), so as to allow the stem end (1) to enter into the hollow arch (6).

FIGS. 4A-4C illustrates a second stamping frame alternative embodiment of the stem articulation device (1), comprising of a positive pull (7) hollow arch-shaped in the counter-door plate (3), lodged inside a depression (8) on the same counter-door (3). FIG. 4A shows a top plan view, FIG. 4B shows a side view and FIG. 4C a detail perspective view. As shown, the stamping forms a depression (8) in the counter-door (3) and, inside the depression (8), a hollow arch (7) upward the plate depression (8) plane, so as to allow the stem end (1) to ender inside the hollow arch (7).

FIGS. 5A-5C show a third stamping framed alternative embodiment of the stem articulation device (1), comprising of a positive pull (9) on the counter-door plate (3). FIG. 5A shows a top plan view, FIG. 5B shows a side view and FIG. 5C shows a detail perspective view. As shown, the stamping forms a positive pull (9) upward the counter-door (3) plane level, so as to allow the stem end (1) to enter inside the positive pull (9).

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate a fourth stamping frame alternative embodiment of the stem articulation device (1) comprising of a vertical tab (10) with a central hole, printed on the counter-door plate (3). FIG. 6A shows a top plan view, FIG. 6B shows a side view and FIG. 6C a detail perspective view. As seen here, the stamping creates a tab perpendicular (10) to the counter-door plate plane (3), supplied with a central orifice, so as to allow the bar end (1) to enter into the central orifice.

This invention is not limited to the representations mentioned or illustrated herein, and it has to be comprehended in its wide scope. Many changes and other representations of the invention will come in mind of those skilled in the technique to which this invention belongs, having the learning benefit presented in previous descriptions and attached drawings. Further, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed specific shape and that changes and other shapes are understood as enclosed within the scope of the attached claims. Although specific terms are nominated herein, they are only used in a generic and descriptive form and not for a limiting purpose. 

1. An appliance door comprising: a stamped counter-door configured to house a stem of a sliding shelf and to facilitate sliding of at least one sliding shelf, wherein the stamped counter-door integrally houses a receptacle configured to permit the stem of the sliding shelf to rotate when the counter-door is moved.
 2. The appliance door of claim 1, wherein the receptacle includes an arching protrusion extending upward from a plane formed by the counter-door and a depression in the counter-door, the protrusion and the depression being located and configured so as to enable an end of the stem of the sliding shelf to be disengaged from the receptacle and also reengaged with the receptacle.
 3. The appliance door of claim 1, wherein the receptacle includes a hollowed arching bow sitting on a plane created by the counter-door, extending upward from a plane formed by the counter-door, and configured such that the stem end can be inserted within the hollowed arching bow.
 4. The appliance door of claim 1, wherein the receptacle includes a hollowed arching bow housed in a depression in the counter-door, the hollowed arching bow extending outward beyond a plane formed by the base of the depression so as to enable the stem end to be inserted within the hollowed arching bow.
 5. The appliance door of claim 1, wherein the receptacle includes an arching protrusion extending upward from a plane formed by the counter-door and configured to enable the stem end to be inserted within the arching protrusion.
 6. The appliance door of claim 1, wherein the receptacle includes a vertical tab extending perpendicular to a plane formed by the counter-door, the vertical tab having a central through hole configured to house the stem end.
 7. An appliance comprising: a frame forming an appliance body and having an internal compartment housing at least one sliding shelf; and a stamped counter-door configured to house a stem of a sliding shelf and to facilitate sliding of at least one sliding shelf, wherein the stamped counter-door integrally houses a receptacle configured to permit the stem of the sliding shelf to rotate when the counter-door is moved. 